Tongues & prophecy 2 - building up the church
1 Corinthians 14:1-5
3 rd week in this chapter…
This week – prophecy and interpreted tongues – gifts to build up the church
Consider the two gifts together as their purpose is essentially the same
V3 Strengthening, encouragement and comfort
Paul clearly explains the purpose of prophecy here and we see from v5 that interpreted tongues have the same function
Really important that we understand the purpose of this kind of prophecy – the kind that we can all be active in – strengthening, encouragement and comfort
We are not talking about being an Isaiah, Jeremiah or Ezekiel
Not even talking about being a New Testament prophet
Acts 11:27-28 Predictive prophecy
Acts 13:1-3 Directional prophecy
Eph. 4:11 Some people are given to the church (gift people) to be prophets – not all
Not everyone is called to be a prophet and give predictive or directional prophecy but when we read 1 Cor. 14 we can see that it is Paul’s wish for everyone to be active in prophecy that strengthens, encourages and comforts
Is it God’s intention to use you like he used Agabus, Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius and the like?
Maybe, maybe not – but read this…
1 Cor. 14:1 eagerly desire – passivity is not permitted here!
A duck walks into a greengrocers shop, walks up to the person behind the counter , and asks, “Do you have any grapes?”
Although taken aback, the grocer answers, “No, I’m sorry, we’ve run out today.”
Looking downcast, the duck walks out. A minute later, the same duck walks back in and again asks, “Do you have any grapes?”
The grocer replies, “Same as before, sorry, no grapes.” The duck walks out dejected.
A minute later, the duck walks back in and asks again, “Do you have any grapes?”
By now, the grocer is getting quite irritated. “No! No grapes today! If you ask again, I’m going to nail your webbed feet to the floor!” The duck walks out.
A minute later, the duck walks back in. “Do you have any nails?” asks the duck.
“Um, no, I’m sorry, we don’t have any nails,” is the answer.
“Great! Do you have any grapes?”
The duck knew how to be a persistent asker – do you?
Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said we must eagerly desire the gift of prophecy – why?
Because the church then, and the church now, needs to strengthened, encouraged and comforted
Did you know that God, yes God, God who created the universe, God who put stars in place in an instant, God who spoke and darkness turned to light – this same God desires to speak words of strengthening, encouragement and comfort to his people?
God spoke and the universe was created – what might his voice do when it comes into your life?
If we don’t prophesy then we will never know
Bring and share meal – the more people who bring something the more complete the meal will be
Need to know that your contribution is important – a prophecy you bring will benefit someone – not necessarily everyone but someone
Bring and share meal again – someone brings a curry and it makes my day – quiche does nothing for me – for someone though quiche is just the thing
It is good to have both quiche and curry – very different but so are people!
Another reason why we all need to prophesy is the power of agreement…
Thrills my heart when we have a prophetic word before I preach that confirms the message
Many times though people have come afterwards and confessed that they had something but didn’t bring it
Don’t miss the moment – your simple word that makes no sense to you might be a key piece in the jigsaw that God is putting together when we meet
V26-33a Some more instructions…
V26 everyone has…all of these must be done
These things are not optional!
V27 Three things here…
1. Two or three maximum – words inspired by the Holy Spirit are precious – we need to give them time and space
Children with a box of very good chocolates might scoff the lot and not taste any
2. One at a time – the gift must be used to benefit the church – not just give the speaker a chance to use the gift – order not confusion
3. Interpret – no use without this
Need to bring some realism here – the same tongue every week does not warrant an interpretation!
OK if you only have a few words (the vocabulary of praise in heaven is not huge!) – but don’t expect an interpretation just because you use them out loud
V29 Again there is a limit in the amount
Two or three witnesses – the biblical number
Two or three prophecies in a similar vein reinforce a point
A couple of different ones may help different people
A whole load and we risk forgetting something or losing focus
Told to weigh prophecy - three aspects of weighing…
1. Biblical – no true prophecy will contradict Scripture
2. Agreement with other prophecy – does it fit with what we have just heard from another or cut right across it?
3. Spiritual – prophets recognise prophecy and the gift of discernment tests the spirit of a prophet
V32 These gifts do not control the user – their use is our responsibility
Vs 28-32 all speak of the speaker in tongues or the person prophesying exercising control over the timing of the use of the gifts
When the Holy Spirit puts something into your heart ask him what to do with it – learn to test your own gifts and learn to be led on timing
The Holy Spirit will help with these things – he will answer prayers for direction
Don’t forget that with every new thing we do there is a learning process – we need to learn to hear the voice of God – as you use the gift you will grow in the gift
Some practical steps to growing in prophecy…